Miami baseball 2025 season preview: 3 biggest games, key players, predictions and more
Miami baseball endured a tough season in J.D. Arteaga's first season as head coach this year. They finished sixth in the Coastal Division of the ACC Regular season with a disappointing 11-19 conference record.
They made the semi-finals of the ACC Tournament but couldn't qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019. The Hurricanes' losses in the 2023 MLB Draft and the transfer portal were far too large to overcome, it showed this year. Five players from the team earned selections in this year's draft, with more players hitting the portal.
However, Arteaga and his staff look to make up for lost ground, recruiting heavily during the offseason. Let's preview Miami ahead of the 2025 NCAA baseball season.
3 key games for Miami baseball in the 2025 season
3. North Carolina Tar Heels
While the Hurricanes struggled in 2024, the Tar Heels thrived. They won the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title with a strong 22-8 conference record and earned the No. 4 national seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, the Hurricanes pulled off an upset three-game series win in Coral Gables in the regular season this year.
With the Tar Heels touted as a favorite for the ACC regular season title next year, the Hurricanes must overcome their challenge.
2. Florida State Seminoles
The Seminoles were one of four ACC teams this year to make the College World Series. They swept the Hurricanes in a three-game home series during the regular season. The rivalry between both teams got heated in the Mike Martin era and they are likely to produce games that could affect their respective seasons greatly in 2025.
1. Florida Gators
Although in the Southeastern Conference, the Gators and the Hurricanes participate in an annual non-conference series. The Gators went into the postseason as the underdogs and made the field of eight in Omaha as the only unseeded team this year. With both teams making big moves in the off-season, the two inter-state rivals could produce an exciting series in 2025.
Key players for the Miami Hurricanes in 2025
3. Todd Hudson, OF/RHP
Per 64Analytics, Hudson ranked 33rd of all players in the transfer portal. The two-way player produced an impressive sophomore season for the Liberty Flames this year, more so at the plate than on the mound.
He hit 11 home runs and 40 RBIs with an average of .273 in 52 games played in 2024. He finished 1-4 on the mound while striking out 16 batters with an ERA of 7.26 in 31.0 innings pitched. Besides being a proven hitter, he can benefit the Canes by helping the bullpen.
2. Lazaro Collera, RHP
Collera demanded a signing bonus of $1.2 million in this year's MLB draft. He forewent a $500,000 offer by the Philadelphia Phillies to honor his commitment to the Hurricanes. Perfect Game ranked him 2nd in the top right-handed pitchers in Florida and 53rd among high school prospects in the country.
He is armed with a fastball maxing out at 98mph and excellent sliders, sinkers and changeups. He could be one of the most exciting freshmen for the Hurricanes in 2025.
1. Daniel Cuvet, INF
Cuvet was among the few highlights in the Canes' disappointing 2024 season. The sophomore was the team's runaway leader in home runs (24), RBIs (75) and batting average (.351) this year. With the draft on his mind, Cuvet will look to impress as the key man in the Canes' offense next year.
Predicting Miami Hurricanes' 2025 season
The Hurricanes' transfer portal recruiting class ranks 7th, per 64Analytics, while Perfect Game ranked their high school recruiting class 4th in the country. With a talented roster, Arteaga has the tools to lead the four-time College World Series winners to a successful regular season.
The Hurricanes could win an NCAA Regional and are a dark horse to make the College World Series for the first time since 2016.